Publishing the Full Text of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission Memorandum

August 22, 2002 REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 34-02 SUBJECT : Publishing the Full Text of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission Memorandum Dated July 5, 2002 Entitled "Duty to Respond to All Communications Within Fifteen (15) Working Days Pursuant to Section 5 Paragraph (A) of Republic Act No. 6713 Otherwise Known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" TO : All Internal Revenue Officers, Employees and Others Concerned For the information and guidance of all internal revenue officers, employees and others concerned, quoted hereunder is the full text of the Memorandum of the Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission dated July 5, 2002: "Office of the President of the Philippines Presidential Anti-Graft Commission MEMORANDUM DATE : 5 JULY 2002 TO : ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES FROM : THE PRESIDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION RE : DUTY TO RESPOND TO ALL COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) WORKING DAYS PURSUANT TO SECTION 5 PARAGRAPH (A) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES" The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) has received a number of complaints on alleged official inaction or delayed action on letters, telegrams, petitions or other forms of communications from the citizenry. Please be reminded that Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees," provides: "Section 5. Duties of Public Officials and Employees. In the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to: (a) Act promptly on letters and requests. All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on the request." ( Emphasis supplied. ) In relation to this, the Code provides: "Section 5. Penalties. (a) Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or not her holds office or employment in casual, temporary, holdover, permanent or regular capacity, committing any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) month's salary or suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency. . . " (Emphasis supplied.) Also, please be reminded that with respect to Presidential appointees, the Commission has the power to investigate or hear administrative cases or complaints involving possible violation of R.A. 6713 (Section 4(3), Executive Order No. 12 series of 2001), among others. For your guidance and strict compliance. (SGD.) DARIO C. RAMA Chairman" Please be guided accordingly. (SGD.) ESTELITA C. AGUIRRE Deputy Commissioner Resource Management Group